Stars Wars: Episode VIII Director Speaks, Reveals Plot Points (VIDEO)

The followup to 2015’s The Force Awakens is still a bit hush-hush, but writer and director of the much anticipated sequel, Rian Johnson, spilled a few secrets when talking to USA TODAY.

The movie is expected in theaters on Dec. 15, and is currently in post production.

Before the death of beloved Carrie Fisher, who played General Leia Organa in Episode VII, Johnson dropped some teasers.

Johnson said he was aiming for a “fun” movie:

“I want it to be a blast and to be funny and to be a ride the way The Force Awakens and the original Star Wars movies were.”

He’s also planning on exploring a lot of character development, particularly within the trio of new generation heroes, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).

“I wanted to know more about each of them, and that doesn’t just mean information or backstory. Figure out what’s the most difficult thing each of them could be challenged with now — let’s throw that at them and dig into what really makes them tick by seeing how they handle that.”

We’re going to find out a lot more about Luke Skywalker as well. Luke didn’t seem to have anything to add in Episode VII, in what must have been the highest paid non-speaking part in Hollywood history. But Episode VIII will reveal more to the relationship between Luke and Rey. Johnson says that at the end of Episode VII, Rey showed up at Luke’s hermitage not knowing what’s going to happen and also having a lot of expectations in her head.”

“It very much feels like what we all go through in adolescence, the dawning of this new chapter of our lives.”

Johnson also said that Episode VIII will explore the theme of family more deeply, some he “really wanted to dig into with this.”

The new sequel will focus also on Luke, and Johnson says what’s going on with Luke will lie at the heart of the next episode.

“I’m approaching it with a take that I hope feels honest and real and is going to be interesting to folks and make sense.”

What Johnson won’t reveal is the movie’s new title. He says he’s known what it will be since he started the first draft, but isn’t ready to share.